Personal Training and Fitness Consultant

If I could walk 500 miles…..I’d still have a long way to go!

I decided in May that I would start a challenge that everyone else started in January, to walk 1000 miles in one year. It isn’t for charity, to win a prize or any kind of kudos, it’s just because I can and I like walking. There are days I like walking less – like when you forget to clock up the miles you’ve done so that day has to be a zero. Yes, I have done that a few times – you’d think you’d learn after the disappointment of doing it once! Apparently not.

What this challenge (and the many I have done before it), has shown me, is that I like a challenge – just small ones, I find they show me things about myself I would not have otherwise noticed. They can reinforce positive thoughts and therefore, behaviour. For example, I took part in the RNLI H2Only challenge earlier this year. I naively thought that since I don’t drink a lot of caffeine, no fizzy drinks and the occasional alcoholic drink, that it would be quite simple to drink only water for 10 days. Not so, I found it tough, but I also noticed how good I felt, I slept well, my skin looked great, and I felt ‘light’ ‘clean’ – just by changing my usual decaf drinks to water. No expensive ‘cleanse’ or strict ‘detox’ required. It has made me focus on drinking more water, but I have slipped in some other options too – no one is perfect!

This walking challenge has also highlighted small health benefits, how hard some days it is to make the magic 10,000 steps, when you’re in an office all day, sometimes it’s quite an effort to get out and do the miles. Other days I just walk instead of taking the bus, I get my chores done but also the miles too – win/win..

So I would urge anyone to give a small challenge a go, you don’t need to sign up for a marathon, or the latest fad diet, just something to test yourself a little – who knows,you could find it makes a bigger impact than you could imagine!

"Sam is incredibly encouraging and supportive in getting back into and maintaining a good exercise regime. She tailors sessions to suit your needs and adapts where needed. I know Sam is genuinely interested in me getting to my goal and completely non judgemental- which is fantastic. Sam also has the knowledge and experience in nutrition with lots of useful tips, so she is a one stop shop for healthy living!"Heather Senior

Heather Senior

"Sam's sessions are very rewarding, and I can feel myself getting stronger. With an 8 month old, it can be hard to fit exercise in, and my gym doesn't have a creche, so being able to bring my baby along is perfect. Sam is supportive and encouraging, and varies her sessions every week, so it's very much something I look forward to."Anna Kersey

Anna Kersey

"Sam has prepared to become a personal trainer with determination and integrity. Not only has she ensured that she has covered every subject in depth, she has also gone beyond academic requirements in working with friends,colleagues and fellow new professionals to apply her learning. She is fast growing a base of clients who are already raving about the results."Grace Drury